AusAID pushes rural growth in Laos

A clutch of tenders in Laos offered by AusAID is aimed at encouraging economic and social progress in poverty-stricken rural communities scratching out a living in terrain littered with unexploded ordnance.

AusAID is looking for managing agents to run an assortment of programs in the country until 2016, with possible five-year extensions after that, subject to funding.

The hazard of unexploded landmines left by insurgents is such that it requires a specific landmine removal component.

Melbourne-based tenders specialist TenderSearch says groups with overseas program management expertise have until May 7 to indicate interest in providing management services in Laos for three components of the aid program.

A managing agent for the Laos-Australia Institute will be running one of the largest programs to be delivered under the Australia Laos Development Cooperation Strategy 2009-15. It will focus on priority areas of education, rural development, trade reform and natural resource management by providing, among other things, professional development activities for individuals and organisations and Australia Awards Scholarships.

A managing agent is also sought to develop ways of monitoring and providing feedback to AusAID, to improve its employees’ performance in delivering improved rural infrastructure and better-off rural inhabitants.

The third task is a social protection and sustainable livelihoods program, focused on providing poor families opportunities to make money.

AusAID hopes that the services, which are focused on developing and strengthening village-level micro-enterprises and instigating a social protection system for vulnerable Lao families, will begin by November.

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Decades of guerilla warfare in Laos have left a serious problem of unexploded bombs, shells and landmines, collectively described as UXOs, so an important task is better understanding of UXO risk management in the rural community.

This will be helped by improved capacity to coordinate and regulate the UXO sector, with the eventual aim of increasing the safety of agricultural land.

AusAID prefers a hands-on approach to monitoring its expertise, management and supplies, to ensure the aid is genuinely advancing the welfare of the people rather than boosting bank accounts in Europe.

This requires much more effort and attention than simply handing over large cheques. This is why some commentators argue for concentrating Australian foreign effort on areas where it has contacts, know-how and access.

Some of its concerns mirror those in Australia, such as seeing more women in management and improving the plight of the disabled.

Australia has allocated up to $20 million over four years (2013 to 2017) through the Laos-Australia Institute for a human resource development program, complemented by another $20 million for scholarships to Australia.

“The goal of the Laos-Australia Institute is to contribute to sustainable and equitable development in Laos through a strategic human resources development program targeting individuals, government of Laos ministries and partner organisations," says the capability statement.

“The goal is also framed by an emphasis on ensuring that women and people with disabilities have equitable access to the program."

This is summed up in six aims. The first is improving management skills in key ministries, training institutions and partner organisations.

Second comes development and application of sound policies by individual beneficiaries. There should be improved participation of women in leadership and management roles.

The fourth aim is to increase the capacity of people with disabilities, disabled persons’ organisations and organisations involved in disability-inclusive development.

A fifth goal is to increase collaboration and networking among participating individuals and organisations.

The final goal is that the government of Laos and participating organisations improve their recognition and acknowledgement of Australia as an active and responsive partner in the human resource development of Laos.